The thoughtful investor

Follow @BMTheEquityDesk for observations on the markets, investing, the economy, taxation, and more

Your guide to compounding

@Gautam__Baid's tweets iterate the virtues of compounding, not just for investors but for anyone looking to excel at anything and be a lifelong learner

Indigo Paints IPO: Information Analysis

The fifth-largest company in the Indian decorative paint industry has come up with its IPO. What is there for investors? Here is our analysis.

IRFC IPO: Information Analysis

The market-borrowing arm of Indian Railways has come up with its IPO. What is there for investors? Here is our analysis.

Stove Kraft IPO: Information Analysis

Stove Kraft, the owner of the brand 'Pigeon', is a strong player in the booming market of kitchen appliances. Should you invest in its IPO? Here is our analysis.

Two kinds of allocation

Do your asset allocation and your attention allocation match? We can help.

Your timing temptation

Investors can hear the clock ticking and are striving to time a perfect exit from the booming equity market. Don't make this mistake.

A warning for the future

Even though a 90 per cent plus vote bodes well for investors, the Franklin affair raises some troubling questions for the future

Does the 50,000 have any meaning?

Is it just a big round number with a lot of useless hype around it? Maybe not...

Home First Finance IPO: Information Analysis

Operating in the affordable-housing loan market, Home First Finance Company seeks to tap into this segment's growth potential. Should you invest in its IPO?

The capital-gains tax should be indexable

The unavailability of cost-indexing for gains made on equity-based investments is an avoidable inconsistency in the tax system

Dividend Declared in Three Schemes of ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund

ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund has announced dividend under the following schemes: Scheme Divide

Franklin receives vote in favour of an orderly winding-up

The Supreme Court is to now decide on the disbursement of the available cash. Here is the complete timeline of the Franklin saga.

If I invest in debt funds now, will my returns be closer to YTM or trailing returns?

The returns may not be as good as what we see in the trailing one-year returns but hopefully, not as low as what the YTM suggests either, says Ashutosh Gupta

A financial hot potato

The idea of bank ownership by industrial houses has been a sensitive issue. Fortunately, we have a lot of literature available on this matter.

Investing in the National Savings Certificate

With assured returns and tax benefits on investments, the National Savings Certificate offers you the best of both worlds

Choosing between the old and new tax slabs

Here is a plan to help 33-year-old Manish make the right choice between the old and new income tax slabs

Is it advisable for a first-time investor to invest in index funds?

Ashutosh Gupta talks about the benefits of index funds and why they can be a suitable option for a first-time investor

Dividend Declared in Schemes of Axis Mutual Fund

Axis Mutual Fund has announced dividend under the following schemes: Scheme Dividend (Rs/unit)

Strategies for an overheated market

Many mutual fund investors are worried that since the market has run up, they may be investing at elevated levels. Here is what you can do for favourable investment outcomes.

The rolling stone that does gather moss

The roll-down strategy in debt funds can help reduce the interest-rate risk and improve the predictability of returns. Here's all you need to know about it.

Not much surplus? Here's how you can still save tax

Here is a financial plan for 34-year-old Gaurav who wants to save on income tax despite not having a large surplus

No Alibaba, just the forty thieves

The Alibaba story appears to be taking a turn that we had warned against at the time of its strange IPO six years ago

Which will be a better investment - Sovereign Gold Bonds or RBI Floating-Rate bonds?

SGBs and RBI floating-rate bonds are not strictly comparable as the underlying asset class is different, tells Ashutosh Gupta

Overview of the Public Provident Fund

The PPF offers tax benefits on contributions as well as withdrawals after the lock-in period

SIPs: The antidote to volatility

Ups and downs in the market make many investors anxious. SIPs help you smoothly navigate the market's volatility

Start Early to Reap Benefits Later

Be it education or investing, there are many benefits of starting early, even when the destination seems far far away

What is considered as the date and cost of acquisition of segregated portfolios for the tax purpose?

Ashutosh Gupta explains how the date and cost of acquisition of a segregated portfolio are calculated for tax purpose

Is it better to do your SIP at the beginning of the month than the end of the month?

Stop worrying about the date of your SIP, instead be guided by the cycle of your cash flows, advises Ashutosh Gupta

Change in fundamental attributes of Parag Parikh Long Term Equity Fund

PPFAS Mutual Fund has approved changes in the fundamental attributes of Parag Parikh Long Term Equit